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Yes, you can replace old kitchen cabinet hinges with soft close, and it’s a great DIY project you can likely tackle in a weekend. Installing soft close hinges first involves removing the cabinet doors and old hinges with either a screwdriver or power drill. The next step involves drilling a new hole for the new hinges, following the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a fantastic way of upgrading standard cabinet hinges and giving a more custom feel without the expense of replacing your cabinets.

You can remove stripped screws with some elbow grease and an extractor kit for severe cases. Don’t forget to purchase replacement screws or hardware. In rare cases, cabinet handles may be glued on, in which case you can use a box cutter or similar knife and a pair of pliers to carefully remove the handle without damaging the cabinet. You may want to replace those handles entirely rather than try gluing them on again.

There are three primary ways to attach upper kitchen cabinets to a wall, and installers may use more than one method at a time. The most common method is to drive screws through the back of the cabinets and into studs in the wall behind. Sometimes cabinets are glued to the wall with strong adhesive. Often a combination of screws and adhesive is desirable. The last way is by hanging the cabinets on hardware brackets that attach to the wall before cabinet installation.

Even the least DIY-savvy homeowner can replace cabinet hardware themselves. All you need is a drill, screwdriver, and a tape measure. However, always take the time to measure and fit carefully. Misalignment or dodgy drill holes can spoil the entire look of your cabinet makeover, and repairs or replacement cabinets can be costly.